OSU Community Response to Recent Acts of Racism

Two deplorable incidents of racism have occurred within the past week on our Corvallis campus. As a community and as a university, we will not tolerate these acts.

One case involves an anonymous threatening hate note left in a campus building, which the Oregon State Police are investigating. Another case involves racist graffiti displayed on an interior building wall.

While neither of these cases appear to be connected, we want to strongly state that any racist act or statement contradicts the values of our community and the university. Oregon State faculty, staff and students stand united within a culture and community of shared civility, where respect and inclusivity are part of who we are and how we act.

Hate speech is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The university and law enforcement are taking immediate steps to investigate both matters, and the university supports the prosecution of those responsible for these acts to the fullest extent possible under law.

President Ed Ray and Provost Sabah Randhawa have been informed of these incidents, and want law enforcement to make every effort to identify the perpetrators of these crimes as quickly as possible. “These behaviors do not reflect who we are,” President Ray said. “Therefore, we will not let people who engage in these terrible and senseless acts control us or persist in their actions.”

If you have information regarding these acts of racism, please notify the Oregon State Police and OSU Department of Public Safety by calling 541-737-3010. Or in case of an emergency, call 541-737-7000.

If you are a student and would like confidential assistance in dealing with matters such as racism, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPs) at 541-737-2131. If you are an employee and would like confidential assistance, please contact OSU’s Employee Assistance Program within the Human Resources Department by calling 541-737-3103 or online at human.resources@oregonstate.edu

As members of the Oregon State community, we cannot remain silent, and we condemn such racist behavior.

Rebecca Warner

Senior Vice Provost

Academic Affairs

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Larry Roper

Vice Provost

Student Affairs

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David Blake

Assistant Vice President

Human Resources and Public Safety

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Tracy Bentley Townlin

Interim Dean of Student Life

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Angelo Gomez

Executive Director

Office of Equity and Inclusion

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Allison Davis-White Eyes

Director

Intercultural Student Services

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Brett Deedon

President

Associated Students of Oregon State University

Oregon State UniversityOffice of the Provost and Executive Vice President
624 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
541-737-2111